All Systems Go! A Journey Into the Human Body


THE SKELETAL SYSTEM
The skeletal system provides the framework for the human body. Think about a hanger...Your clothes could not hang if the hanger did not give them support. They would just clump into a ball. Your body is the same way. If you didn't have your skeletal system, you would just look like a blob. The skeletal system has five major functions:

1. The skeleton gives us structure and support.
2. The skeleton protects your internal organs.
3. The skeleton provides a place for muscles to attach.
4. The bone marrow inside bones makes red blood cells for your body.
5. The skeleton stores minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

When you study the skeletal system, you need to know these major terms: cartilage, joints, ligaments, bones, bone marrow.


WATCH THIS MOVIE TO HELP YOU REVIEW THE SKELETAL SYSTEM:

THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM
The Muscular System is very important for everyone. In addition to helping the body move from place to place, the muscular system also generates heat for the body. When you shiver when you are cold, your muscles are contracting to generate extra body heat. This helps keep you warm in cold situations.

The functions of the muscular system:

1. The muscular system moves the body and its body parts. If you didn't have a muscular system, you could not digest your food or play sports!
2. The muscular system produces heat.
3. The muscular system gives the body its shape.

There are three types of muscle:

1. Skeletal muscles move the body by pulling on the bones where they are attached. Skeletal muscles always operate in pairs. When one contracts (or squeezes), the other muscle relaxes.

2. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart. Cardiac muscle cells have many mitochondria because the heart must NEVER run out of energy! It needs a continuous supply of energy to keep beating.

3. Smooth muscle is found in internal organs of the body like digestive organs and glands. Smooth muscle is responsible for moving food through your digestive tract!


Important terms to know for the muscular system: tendon, muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle

WATCH THIS MOVIE TO HELP YOU REVIEW THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM The digestive system breaks food down into smaller particles that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.